Starter control



NOV. 19, 1935. V p FERGUSQN 2,021,502

STARTER CONTROL Filed Dec. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l 11v VENTOR maLcolm/7P ergwom J fi W ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1935. M, P, FERGUSON J 2,021,502

STARTER CONTROL Filed Dec. 21, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 12 TD THROTTL$ZNVENTOR A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 19, 1935 STARTER CONTROL Malcolm P.Ferguson, Elmira, N. Y., assignor in Eclipse Machine Company, Elmira, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application December 21, 1931. Serial No.582,413

g c Claims. Tor. 123-179) This invention relates to a starter controlforinternal combustion engines and more particularly to a device forcontrolling the actuation of a starting system from a manual controlmember for the engine, such actuation being also controlled by adisabling mechanism responsive to self-operation of the engine.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel device forcontrolling an engine starter mechanism from a manual control element ofthe engine or transmission such as the accelerator pedal or clutchpedal, the controlling connection being broken responsive toself-operation of the engine.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the disruption ofsaid connection is brought about by means of a fluid pressure generatedby an auxiliary device such as a pump operated by the engine.

A further object is to provide such a device in which the fluid pressureso generated is prevented from breaking such connection during thecranking operation.

Another object is to provide such a device having provisions forpreventing the reactuation of the starting mechanism for a predeterminedtime after self-operation of the engine has ceased.

Another object is to provide such a device in which the automaticcontrolling mechanism is operative in response to rotation of the enginein either direction.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic showing of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, certain of the parts thereof being shown in verticalsection;

Fig. 2 is a detail in side elevation of a second embodiment of theinvention showing a modified form of controlling means;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the structure shown in F18. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of another embodiment of theinvention; and

Fig. 5 is an elevation partly in section and partly diagrammatic of aninternal combustion engine of commercial type with the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Fig. 4- applied thereto.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings there is illustrated a startingsystem for an internal combustion engine including a battery I groundedat 2 and connected by a lead 3 to a. starting switch 4 of a startingmotor 5 which is grounded at 6 to complete the starting circuit.

A manual control member for the engine is illustrated in the form of anaccelerator pedal I having a thrust link 8 with a collar 9 fixed there-5 on in position to engage a lever i0. Lever I0 is hinged at H and haspivoted to its free end a rod I 2 arranged to operate the throttle ofthe engine carburetor, not shown.

According to the present invention, means are 10 provided for connectingthe accelerator pedal 1 to operate the starting switch 4 when the engineis not in operation. As here shown this connecting means comprises asleeve member l3 arranged to slidably receive a cylindrical enlargementI4 of the push member 8, and pivoted at l5 to a switch operating leverl6. Lever I6 is hinged at H and carries at its free end an insulatedroller l8 arranged to contact the movable member IQ of starting switch 4to close the switch when the sleeve member I3 is moved by depression ofthe accelerator pedal.

The sleeve member I3 is normally connected to the push member 8 by meansof a latch 2| slidably mounted in a cylinder 22 formed on the 5 sleevemember l3 at right angles thereto, said latch normally extending intothe path of shoulder 23 formed on the cylindrical enlargement H. Thelatch 2| is formed as a piston fitting within the cylinder 22 whereby avacuum formed in the upper end of said cylinder will trip the latch 2|and disable the connection between the accelerator pedal 1 and switchoperating lever l6.

According to the present invention, means are provided for causing thedisabling of said con-' nection when the engine is self-operative. Asillustrated in Fig. 1, this means comprises an air pump indicatedgenerally at 24 which is preferably mounted directly on the frame 25 ofthe engine to be started. As here shown this pump comprises a flexiblediaphragm 26 arranged to be operated by a bell crank lever 21 which isurged in a direction to raise the diaphragm 26 by suitable means such asa spring 28, and which is positively operated to depress the diaphragm26 by a thrust member 29 bearing on a cam 3| driven from a rotating partof the engine. Suitable check valves 32 and 33 are provided wherebyreciprocation of the diaphragm 26 will cause air to be drawn in throughthe inlet 34 into chamher 35 and expelled through chamber 36 and outlet31.

As here illustrated. the inlet 34 is connected by means of a flexibleconduit 38 with the upper end of the cylinder 22 whereby operation ofthe 2 aos'asoa pump causesavaclmmtobeiormedinsaid cylinder, withdrawingandmaintainingthelatch flininoperativeposition. tbepumptloperatesequallyw wh r g engineisrotatingbackwardoriorwardsothatseli-operationoitheengineineitherdirecflonwillcausedisablingoiitheconnectingmeansbelleansareprovided forpreventing thedis- 1o ablingoisaidconnectionduring'thecrankingoperation. Minna-Immuneprisesavalvellinterposedintheconduitfland'havingamovableplungerll pivotedatlitotheancylinderfloisleevememberllandwithopeningllregisteringwithtbeinletandoutlet portsoi'saidvalvewhenthesleeveis isinitsnormal'positicn. Iotionoithesleeve a starting switch lever I!which is pivoted to the cylinder 22 at 41 in position to cover said portwhen the parts are in normal position. Mo-

.tion or the sleeve member I! in a direction to close the startingswitch 4, however, causes the port ll to be uncovered. whereby thevacuum createdin thepumpllisineilectivetoraisethe 4,5 latch ll.

Itwillbeunderstoodthattheairpumpllmay beused either as avacuum pump oras a pressurepumpiisodesired. Whenusedas apressure pump it is merely nto connect the so flexible conduit 38 to the outlets! instead oi theinletltandtoiormthelatchtl soastobe pushedawayiromthepumpinsteadoitowardthe pump in moving to its inoperative position. Means are provided forpreventing the reestablishment oi the connection between theacceleratorpedal landstartingswitchluntilapre-, determinedtime alter theengine has come to rest.Asillustratedinl'ig.l,thlsmeanscomprisesthechamberfloithepumpwhichacts,

so asastoragereservoir,andanadiustablebleeder valve ll which is set todissipate the vacuum inthechamberllapredeterminedtimeaiterthepumphasetopped.

In the embodiment oi the invention illmtrated 55 in Figs. 4 and 5, theobjects of the invention are secured byiutilizing the lubricant pump ofthe engine to produce the pressure for causing the disabling of thestarter connection during the self-operation oi the engine. As thereillustrated,the partsoithestartingsystemandtuelcontrolsystemoi'theenginearethesameas shown in Fig. 1 and are similarlynumbered; In this embodiment, however, a latch ll is provided 101'connecting the sleeve member II to the push 7 link I which latch isprovided with a shoulder gas be understood that various other ts arepossibleandthatchangesmaybemadeinthe a1 and proportions of the partswith- 0 out departing from the spirit oi the invention as defined in theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:-

1. In combination. starting for internal combustion engines including astarting switeh,.a manual control member, a connectimioroperatingsaidstartingswitchirom themanualmembenanenginedriveniluidpressurepump, means raponsive to pressurecaused thereby i'or disablingsaidconnectionandmeansiorpreventing theoperation of said disabling means-durim the cranking operation.

2, In combination, starting for internal combustion engines imluding astarting switch, a manual control member, a connection Uioroperatingsaidstartingswitchtromthemanual member. an engine drivenfluid preuure pump, means responsive to pressure caused thereby fordisabling said connection and means for preventing the restoration ofsaid connection for a pre- 7 determinedtimeaiteroperationoithepumphasceased.

3. In combination, starting mechanisms for internal combustion enginesincluding a starting switch, a manual control member, a connection fors,os1,soa v 3 operatingsaidstartingswitchtrom the manual member, anengine driven fluid pressure pump, meansresponsivetopressurecausedtherebyicr disabling said connection, means for preventing the operationof said disabling means during the cranhng operation and means forpreventing the restoration of such connection for apredeterminedtimeaiter operationotthepump has- -a valve for controllingthe tripping action and 'means for moving the valve into position toprevent the trlpning action when the connection is moved to causeactuation oi the starting mechanism.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine, a starting systemtherefor including a starting switch, a manual control member (or saidengine, a connection for operating said starting switch from said manualcontrol member when the engine is not in operation, a fluid pressurepump. means for operating said pump by rotation or the engine in eitherdirection, means res sponsive to pressure caused therebyi'or disablingsaid connection, and means for dissipating said pressure a predeterminedtime after operation of the pump ceases.

6. In combination with an internal combustion 10 engine, a startingsystem theretorincluding a starting switch, a manual control member forsaid engine, a connection for operating said starting switch from saidmanual control member when the engine is not in operation, a fluidpressure pump, 15

means for operating said pump by rotation oi. the engine in eitherdirection, means responsive to pressure caused thereby for disablingsaid connection, and an adjustable bleeder valve for dissipating saidpressure and allowing the reestab- 20 lishment of said connection apredetermined time after actuation of the engine ceases.

MALCOLM P. FERGUSON.

